A mountain [τ ο ο ρ ο ς]. The Rev. recognized the force of the definite article, and renders "the mountain," that particular mountain in the place where Jesus saw the multitudes. The mountain itself cannot be identified. Delitzsch calls the Mount of Beatitudes "The Sinai of the New Testament." When... [ Continue Reading ]
Taught [ε δ ι δ α σ κ ε ν]. The imperfect signifies began to teach.... [ Continue Reading ]
Blessed [μ α κ α ρ ι ο ι]. As this word and its cognates occur at least fifty - five times in the New Testament, it is important to understand its history, which is interesting because it is one of those numerous words which exhibit the influence of Christian association and usage in enlarging and d... [ Continue Reading ]
They that mourn [π ε ν θ ο υ ν τ ε ς]. Signifying grief manifested; too deep for concealment. Hence it is often joined with klaiein, to weep audibly (Mark 16:10; James 4:9). Shall be comforted. See on John 14:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
The meek [ο ι π ρ α ε ι ς]. Another word which, though never used in a bad sense, Christianity has lifted to a higher plane, and made the symbol of a higher good. Its primary meaning is mild, gentle. It was applied to inanimate things, as light, wind, sound, sickness. It was used of a horse; gentle.... [ Continue Reading ]
Shall be filled [χ ο ρ τ α σ θ η σ ο ν τ α ι]. A very strong and graphic word, originally applied to the feeding and fattening of animals in a stall. In Revelation 19:21, it is used of the filling of the birds with the flesh of God's enemies. Also of the multitudes fed with the loaves and fishes (Ma... [ Continue Reading ]
The merciful. See on Luke 1:50.... [ Continue Reading ]
The peacemakers [ο ι ε ι ρ η ν ο π ο ι ο ι]. Should be held to its literal meaning, peace - makers; not as Wyc., peaceable men. The founders and promoters or peace are meant; who not only keep the peace, but seek to bring men into harmony with each other. Tynd. renders, the maintainers of peace.... [ Continue Reading ]
Have lost his savor [μ ω ρ α ν θ η]. The kindred noun [μ ω ρ ο ς] means dull, sluggish; applied to the mind, stupid or silly; applied to the taste, insipid, flat. The verb here used of salt, to become insipid, also means to play the fool. Our Lord refers here to the familiar fact of salt losing its... [ Continue Reading ]
A bushel [τ ο ν μ ο δ ι ο ν]. Rev., rightly, "the bushel;" since the definite article is designed to indicate a familiar object - the grain - measure which is found in every house. A candlestick [τ η ν λ υ χ ν ι α ν]. Rev., the stand. Also a part of the furniture of every house, and commonly but one... [ Continue Reading ]
So shine [ο υ τ ω ς]. Often misconceived, as if the meaning were "Let your light shine in such a way that men may see," etc. Standing at the beginning of the sentence, it points back to the illustration just used. "So," even as that lamp just mentioned, let your light shine. Wycliffe has apparently... [ Continue Reading ]
To destroy [κ α τ α λ υ σ α ι]. Lit., to loosen down, dissolve; Wyc., undo.... [ Continue Reading ]
Jot, tittle [ι ω τ α, κ ε ρ α ι α]. Jot is for jod, the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet. Tittle is the little bend or point which serves to distinguish certain Hebrew letters of similar appearance. Jewish tradition mentions the letter jod as being irremovable; adding that, if all men in the w... [ Continue Reading ]
Hell - fire [τ η ν γ ε ε ν ν α ν τ ο υ π υ ρ ο ς]. Rev., more accurately, the hell of fire. The word Gehenna, rendered hell, occurs outside of the Gospels only at James 3:6. It is the Greek representative of the Hebrew Ge - Hinnom, or Valley of Hinnom, a deep, narrow glen to the south of Jerusalem,... [ Continue Reading ]
Agree with [ι σ θ ι ε υ ν ο ω ν]. Lit., be well - minded towards; inclined to satisfy by paying or compromising. Wyc., Be thou consenting to. Officer [υ π η ρ ε τ η]. Denoting a subordinate official, as a herald or an orderly, and in this sense applied to Mark as the "minister" or attendant of Paul... [ Continue Reading ]
Offend [σ κ α ν δ α λ ι ζ ε ι]. The word offend carries to the English reader the sense of giving offense, provoking. Hence the Rev., by restoring the picture in the word, restores its true meaning, causeth to stumble. The kindred noun is skandalon, a later form of skandalhqron, the stick in a trap... [ Continue Reading ]
Coat, cloke [χ ι τ ω ν α, ι υ α τ ι ο ν]. The former, the shirt - like under - garment or tunic; the latter, the mantle, or ampler over - garment, which served as a covering for the night, and therefore was forbidden by the Levitical law to be retained in pledge over night (Exodus 22:26; Exodus 22:2... [ Continue Reading ]
Shall compel thee to go [α γ γ α ρ ε υ σ ε ι]. This word throws the whole injunction into a picture which is entirely lost to the English reader. A man is travelling, and about to pass a post - station, where horses and messengers are kept in order to forward royal missives as quickly as possible. A... [ Continue Reading ]
Borrow [δ α ν ι σ α σ θ α ι]. Properly, to borrow at interest.... [ Continue Reading ]
Neighbor [τ ο ν π λ η σ ι ο ν]. Another word to which the Gospel has imparted a broader and deeper sense. Literally it means the one near (so the Eng., neighbor = nigh - bor), indicating a mere outward nearness, proximity. Thus a neighbor might be an enemy. Socrates (Plato, "Republic," 2 373) shows... [ Continue Reading ]